378 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



They are also shot at night on the ponds and marshes where 

 they go to feed. 



Numbers are shot over decoys from the sand-flats, or points 

 upon which are sunk boxes, in which the shooter conceals himself. 

 When only wounded, they are difficult to capture, as they swim and 

 dive well, and also possess the power of sinking their bodies in 

 the water with the bill only projecting above the surface, and will 

 continue in this position for some time. 



Wild geese, when migrating South, sometimes lose their way, 

 more particularly in foggy weather, when they have been known 

 to alight in the immediate vicinity of the farm-houses, apparently 

 much confused and wonder-struck at their peculiar and dangerous 

 position. When feeding, sanding, or sleeping, they always place 

 sentinels on guard, who are regularly relieved at the lapse of an 

 hour or so. These sentinels are ever on the alert, with wide- 

 extended necks, and give the alarm to their companions at the 

 slightest intimation of danger. 



DESCRIPTION. 



" The length of this species is three feet ; extent five feet two 

 inches ; the bill is black ; irides dark hazel ; upper half of the 

 neck black, marked on the chin and lower part of the head with a 

 large patch of white, its distinguishing character; lower part of 

 the neck, before, white; back and wing-coverts brown, each feather 

 tipped with whitish ; rump and tail black ; tail-coverts and vent 

 white ; primaries black, reaching to the extremity of the tail ; 

 tides pale ashy-brown ; legs and feet blackish ash. 



" The male and female are exactly alike in plumage." 



